Episode 6
The Academy summons—basically a notice for a mana aptitude test—was the first step to becoming a hunter. Usually, people get it when they turn 19, and only with this notice are they even allowed to take the test.
It’s not that you just take the test—you have to be allowed to. That word alone shows how hard it is just to get to the testing stage.
‘So, the first notice comes at 19, but if you fail, you get another chance every 3 years. Otherwise, people would keep reapplying non-stop, overwhelming the Hunter Association.’
These days, being a hunter was the most admired job out there. At first, I didn’t really get it—after all, I’d just returned to Earth after 7 years.
I was forced into another world against my will, became the “Dragon’s Champion” and had to save that world. Who in their right mind would want to suddenly fight monsters and learn skills as a clueless middle schooler?
I didn’t understand why I was chosen as a savior, and I really didn’t like the idea of sacrificing myself for a strange world full of strangers.
So I naturally assumed people on Earth would hate the idea of becoming a hunter too. Even if you awakened and got skills, nothing guaranteed your life on the battlefield. One mistake—even for veterans—meant death. I knew that brutal reality all too well.
But after reading the summons and doing some research, I realized something shocking: people here were desperate to become hunters. Why? Because hunters got wealth, fame, and power.
‘Seriously? That’s worth more than your life?’
Well, to be fair… I’m loaded. I brought tons of gold and jewels from the La-Moon Continent, all tucked safely in my inventory. That’s how I could buy a house, and focus on raising Shuu instead of working.
And as for fame or power? I already had way too much of that over there.
‘I mean, I saved a whole world. What’s more honorable than that? And if I’d stayed, as the Dragon’s Champion, I’d probably be treated even better than a king.’
Sure, I ran off with Shumi’s egg in the end, so all that fame and power didn’t mean much anymore—but it’s not like I wanted to stay there. Earth is my home, and raising Shuu in peace here is my goal now.
‘So taking the mana test would just be a waste of time.’
Even with the summons, you didn’t have to take the test. It wasn’t like the military draft—it was more like a lottery ticket for a better life. At least, for most people. Not for me.
‘Right now, what matters most isn’t some paper… it’s taking care of Shuu.’
Besides, even passing the test didn’t make you a hunter instantly. The summons is called an “Academy Draft” because if you pass, you have to attend the Academy first. Without graduating, you don’t even get a hunter license.
People who awaken but don’t go through the Academy are called “unregistered hunters,” and they’re not allowed to act as hunters.
‘But apparently, some people ignore the law and form unregistered hunter guilds anyway.’
I only found surface-level info online, but even from that, they didn’t seem like the most upstanding people. And when I overheard some Hunter Association folks before, they didn’t speak kindly about “unregistered hunters.”
Some of them call themselves “resistance,” but I guess the government just sees them as troublemakers.
‘I mean, technically I’m unregistered too…’
Still, I had no intention of misusing my powers or causing chaos. Honestly, I had enough on my plate just taking care of Shuu.
“Mommy, Shuu good? Shuu amazing?”
“Yup! My Shuu is the best and most amazing!”
“Mommy, you too! You do it too!”
Shuu had been dancing along to Ppopporo’s workout moves, and now he was tugging at my arm, asking me to join. The dance was easy enough for kids, but still… dancing like that at my age felt a bit embarrassing.
“…Okay, let’s dance together.”
But how could I say no? If this cute little tyrant wants me to dance, then as her loyal servant, I have no choice but to shake my hips with her.
“You’re good, Mommy! Amazing!”
“Hahaha… yeah. Look at my hips go, huh?”
When Shuu did it, it was adorable. But when I tried copying it, I just felt awkward and ridiculous. Every time I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror, I cringed inside.
Still, seeing Shuu laugh and have fun made it worth it. Who cares about my pride if Shuu’s that happy?
After our little dance party, I made some formula for Shuu, who said she was hungry again. I’d gotten really good at it too—quick and efficient. I could make three bottles in no time now.
“Here you go, Shuu. Your food.”
“Food! Shuu’s food!”
While Shuu happily started drinking, I took out a ready-made meal I’d bought from the store and began eating. I had to finish fast before she started eyeing my food again.
‘She’s always curious about what I eat.’
Actually, it wasn’t just food. Shuu was interested in everything I touched—my clothes, my laptop, my books. Probably because, to her, I was the only person in her little world.
Besides me, the only others in her world were Ppopporo and the gang. Not even the neighbor grandma got a hello from Shuu yet. It just made me feel bad.
‘If only she could use polymorph soon…’
Socializing is important for kids. At a very young age, it’s okay to only be around their parents. But Shuu was clearly developing differently than a normal human baby.
She already spoke in full sentences, remembered almost everything I taught her, and could even use that knowledge. Even though I hadn’t finished the parenting book, one thing was clear—Shuu needed more than just me.
Even if it wasn’t kids her age, she needed to meet new people and get new experiences.
‘But that can only happen once she can polymorph… and I don’t even know when that’ll be. Assuming it even works like that for dragons. Honestly, it’s risky to compare her to humans at all…’
I had no idea what dragon babies truly needed. Maybe I was raising her all wrong. But then again, would smart, wise Shumi really leave her precious egg with someone who couldn’t handle it?
There had to be a reason she chose me as Shuu’s guardian.
…I had to believe that.
“Shuu, want Uncle to read you a story?”
“Story?”
So for now, all I could do was my best. I pulled out the children’s book I ordered a few days ago and waved it in front of her. Her eyes immediately sparkled.
I’d just taught her Hangul (Korean letters) yesterday, and she already learned to read everything. Honestly, it was beyond smart—she might just be a once-in-a-century genius. So I decided to move ahead with learning faster than planned.
“This one’s called ‘I Can’t Live Like This!’”
“Can’t live?”
“Yeah. Just listen, okay? Uncle will read it.”
I read slowly and clearly. The story was about villagers suffering under a greedy lord. One day, they got fed up and shouted “We can’t live like this!” Then they set out to confront him.
They traveled far—over fields, mountains, and rivers—only to find that the lord was gone. Instead, a dragon had taken over his castle.
“Dragon! Shuu is dragon!”
“Yeah, but—wait, why a dragon…?”
As expected from someone who loved Garung in Ppopporo, Shuu flapped her wings excitedly when she saw a red dragon in the book, yelling, “I’m a dragon too!”
Well, she’s not wrong. But still… why did a dragon show up now?
“Uh… the dragon demanded gold and treasure from a kind lord. When the lord refused, the dragon breathed fire and chased out the lord and his family…”
“Dragon chased them?”
“Y-Yeah, I guess…”
I didn’t think she’d understand the phrase “chased out,” but her big eyes started to shimmer with worry. The picture showed a red dragon breathing fire while people ran away in fear. Knowing how smart Shuu was, she definitely understood what that meant.
“Shuu, this is just a story. There’s no real bad dragons…”
But before I could finish, the face of the evil dragon flashed in my mind, and I trailed off.
While I hesitated, Shuu turned the page on her own and saw the dragon attacking innocent villagers.
“The dragon’s being bad…”
“Y-Yeah…”
“Bad dragon…”
A minute ago, she was excited about dragons, but now her wings drooped and she looked like she was about to cry. I really should’ve read the book first before buying it. I just liked the title and didn’t check.
“Shuu, want to stop reading? I’ll read you a different story later.”
“Nooo… Read this one.”
“But this one’s a bit…”
“I want to know.”
She pointed at the villagers running from the fire. I guess she wanted to see what happened next. I gave in and read the rest.
As expected, the bad dragon was defeated. The villagers spiced up its food with hot peppers, and then the villagers and castle knights teamed up to drive it out using swords and spears.
Once the dragon was gone, the kind lord returned, and peace came back to the village.
“They beat the bad dragon…”
“Shuu, it’s just a story, okay? You don’t have to take it so seriously…”
“Will they beat Shuu too?”
“Huh…?”
Her big blue eyes filled with tears. With each blink, giant teardrops rolled down her cheeks.
I hugged her tightly and patted her back to comfort her. It was the first time Shuu cried—even when she hatched, she didn’t cry. Seeing her cry now broke my heart.
“No one’s gonna hurt Shuu. That dragon got punished because it was bad. But you’re a good dragon, so no one’s gonna hurt you.”
“Really? No one’ll hurt Shuu?”
“Nope. And if anyone tries, Uncle will never forgive them. I’ll protect you, okay? So no more crying, alright?”
“Mommy’ll protect Shuu?”
“Yup. I mean—Uncle will always be on your side.”
I held Shuu and comforted her until she fell asleep, still clutching her Garung doll. Once she was asleep, I jumped up and ran out the window.
Twelve floors up? No big deal for me.
I rushed back to the store, bought everything I needed, and returned just in time—Shuu was still sleeping.
In the dark, with only a small lamp on, I spent the whole night working. I thought it would be easy since I was good at crafting and already had the blueprints in mind, but it wasn’t.
Still, after pulling an all-nighter, I finally made something decent.
‘Hope Shuu likes it…’
As the sun rose, Shuu’s chubby tail started twitching. She stretched her wings and yawned wide, then stood up like a cat stretching.
“Good morning, Shuu.”
“Mommy!”
I handed her a warm bottle I’d prepared. Flapping her wings, Shuu flew into my arms instead of grabbing the bottle.
“Good morning!”
“Here you go—time for food.”
“Food! Yay!”
She quickly drank all three bottles in a flash. Probably because she cried herself to sleep last night, so she was extra hungry.
While she ate, I brought in what I’d made overnight.
“Mommy, what’s this?”
“This is a sketchbook. You can draw in it.”
“Draw?”
“Yup. Like this—look.”
“Wow! A storybook!”
Smart as always, Shuu got it right away. Last night, I bought crayons and a sketchbook. Then I stayed up drawing and writing a brand-new storybook.
A book made just for Shuu.
“It’s a story Uncle made. And guess who the main character is?”
“Shuu! It’s Shuu!”
“That’s right. You’re the hero.”
The main character was a kind, brave baby dragon with silver scales and blue eyes—just like Shuu. She travels around helping people, beating bad dragons, and saving villages.
Shuu stared at the book, reading aloud in her wobbly little voice. Watching her read it out loud filled me with emotion I couldn’t explain.
“Shuu beat the bad dragon! Shuu is amazing!”
“Yup! You’re amazing!”
“Shuu is good! Bad dragons get punished!”
After finishing the story, Shuu excitedly flapped her wings and started dancing again. She stretched her little limbs and shook her butt—so cute that yesterday’s sadness was already forgotten.
“Shuu, promise with Uncle to be a kind and brave dragon, okay?”
“Promise!”
She spun in the air and dove into my arms. I hugged her tightly.
The exhaustion from my all-nighter? Completely gone.
